Camila Undercover

She Scored Big-time at the V.M.A.'s and A.M.A.'s and Made History With a Billion-plus Streams on Spotify, but Camila Cabello's Superstar Status Belies the Introvert Inside

- Kimberly Cutter

Camila Cabello loves to explore. Whenever she visits a new city (which is a lot these days), she likes to run out and check out all the cool restaurants and shops, ride all the rides at the nearest theme park, and “go on, like, a crazy mountain adventure.” However, exploring new cities like a maniac while you’re also in the middle of two giant world tours (one with Taylor Swift and one to promote her own debut album, Camila) can present problems. For example, back in May, Cabello had to cancel a performance due to dehydration. Now, in August, at her doctor’s insistence, she is trying very hard to chill. Stay in her hotel and watch movies on her day off. Do a face mask. Relax. “I realized if I don’t take days off, I will actually die,” says Cabello, 21. “Or collapse, so I’m trying not to go too crazy for the rest of the tour.”

It’s late night in Pittsburgh, and she’s just finished singing “Shake It Off” with Swift and Charli XCX at Heinz Field. Fresh from the shower and dressed in a hoodie and sweats, her long dark hair combed over her shoulders, Cabello curls up on the couch, tucks her white-socked feet beneath her, and continues: “It’s hard, though. I’m at this point in my life when I’m so happy—it’s hard to say no.”